An interesting situation is developing with the cats. That is, my own darling Eloise, aka eCat and the five feral cats: Mama cat (sometimes called Mehitabel) and her offspring, Zain, Freddie, Barney and Betty.

Several years ago, affectionate Mama tried very hard to gain an invitation to live in the house. I’d have let her, but eCat had no intention of permitting anything and, finally giving up, Mama left and I didn’t see her for a couple of years. But once she’d returned, it was for good and she’s rarely missed a mealtime since. She has no great affection for her children. They all eat together on a table and she eats on the ground beneath. She’s still very affectionate with me. Zain is also tame and affectionate, Freddie comes to be stroked, Betty and Barney do not allow it. They’re very nervous around people.

Mama must be at least 10 years old, maybe more and the young ones will be 10 in the spring. I know Mama had had at least one litter before they were born.

But anyway, after this preamble … they all wait for breakfast in the morning, Barney being the boldest and most nagging. They’ll spread out to watch as sometimes I go out first and sometimes Wink does. The cats will come right up to the door and look to see if we’re up. I don’t let the chickens out until they’ve had breakfast, they’re quite respectful of chicken beaks and claws and have been known to be chased away from their food. This morning, I was going back and forth in the house, doing various jobs and I’d left the outside door open. I saw Eloise, as I thought, in the passage and greeted her – but it was Mama, who retreated into the porch. So I went to find her some food and she came back indoors. This was asking for trouble and I fed her outside. It’s interesting, she hasn’t been this bold for a long time and I suspect she doesn’t want to have another winter outside. But it’s up to Eloise, I can’t make my cat accept another.

It was a warm evening and I suggested sitting outside with glasses of wine – this was to Wink, obviously. ECat would not have any truck with such decadence. She did join us, though, lying behind our chairs. Barney appeared in the drive and Eloise looked at him with dislike, which he ignored. He came a few steps forward and settled down in the cat pose of all four paws tucked underneath. Why Eloise didn’t chase him, I don’t know, but I suspect she knew he wouldn’t run and she was at risk of losing face. So she had to lie relaxedly in front of us, looking in every direction but at him.

Eventually, we wanted to go in and I had to break the deadlock. So I went over to the bins and he moved away, so Eloise was able to come indoors with us, not having retreated while he was there. I don’t quite know what to make of it all.